"Our defense wanted to throw up a doughnut and that's (basically) what we did," said senior linebacker Jonathan Holzhauer, who was in on 10 tackles. "That's what we're thinking all week in practice."

Clinging to a 7-6 advantage late in the third quarter, the Cougars, who missed two field goals in the game, received another chance when Afoa fell on a Valhalla fumble at the Norsemen's 38-yard line.

It took eight plays for Steele Canyon to find the end zone. Ross Epperson (7-for-11, 71 yards) completed a 14-yard pass to Andre Anderson on a key third down to keep the scoring drive alive. Epperson went to the air for the final 10 yards, hitting Garrit Fox with a swing pass to make it 14-6 with 7:56 left.

Valhalla could generate just 125 yards for the game.

"I think our defense ranks right up there with the best five in the county," Cougars safety Wes Davis said.

After a scoreless first quarter, Valhalla (4-5, 1-3) broke through when Brock Wenbourne jarred the ball loose from Steele Canyon's Fox. Linebacker Raja Lewis scooped up the rolling football and scampered 24 yards to the end zone for a 6-0 lead with 11:13 remaining in the half.

Esquibel's fumble recovery gave Steele Canyon possession at the Valhalla 46 midway through the second period. It took the Cougars seven plays to convert the turnover.

Charles Warren capped the drive with a 20-yard dash. On the play, Warren started off left tackle, but quickly cut back after encountering defensive resistance. That move provided Warren with smooth sailing to tie the game 6-6. Ricky Araiza kicked the PAT to stake Steele Canyon to a one-point halftime advantage.